It’s the gag reflex for fans and talking heads whenever the New York Giants are stuck in a bind these days. It’s the simple, easy reasoning for why they’re going to prevail despite long odds.

It’s possible that Sunday’s win over Washington may have signaled a changing of the guard at running back after Paul Perkins started the game and played well. McAdoo wouldn’t rule it out, anyway. Manning isn’t Rodgers. Far from it. On a game-in and game-out basis, he isn’t nearly as accurate, as consistent, as careful with the game ball, or as able to create plays with only his feet. What is he, though, is really fearless. Experienced. Smart. Giants vs Packers live stream. Capable of rising to the big games and the big moments.

As much value as where is in the Packers’ hard postseason experience, Cook’s major perspective as a playoff neophyte could be useful as well. Lest anyone in McCarthy’s locker room take playoff appearances for finaly granted, Cook’s history serves as a lesson for how rare these kinds of opportunities are around the league.

If the Giants win Sunday in Green Bay, it will have almost nothing to do with what occured in ’07 and ’11, and all to do with a defense that is now led by a safety in Landon Collins, who was 10 days past his 13th birthday when Manning and the Giants went into Lambeau Field and defeat Brett Favre and Packers in January 2008. Giants vs Packers live stream. It will have all to do with a vastly different team that has won nine of its last 11 games entering the postseason.

McAdoo made a strange choice to play Janoris Jenkins, who moved the last game with a back injury. Jenkins only played a half but came out of the game sore, and the head coach said the cornerback will be limited in practice to start the week.

Cook’s impact on the Packers has been noticeable, especially since he returned in Week 11 from an ankle injury that cost him six matches. Giants vs Packers live stream. Although he completed the regular season with 30 catches for 377 yards and major one touchdown, his presence down the middle of the field has altered the way defenses have played the Packers.

It’s going to have a lot more than old history to get the recent Giants past these Packers. Almost nothing that happened during the 2007 season carries over to 2017.